Soon to be among the few...

[Guest WPalank]

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Anyway, if anyone would be so kind to reply, I have a couple questions before I pick up my S and two lenses next week.

 

Leica has switched the Platinum Owners program a bit as of late. My dealer is a major Leica reseller on the West Coast. Leica still has an insurance plan on the book that costs about 4K that includes the delivery to most places of a new S if anything happens for 3 years. However, as far as we can tell, it is now included in the purchase of a new S, therefore no need for the separate policy. Is that so?

Also, when purchasing lenses, it is about $800 or so for some sort of insurance. However, the main S guy at Leica says there is no drop off when it comes to CS lenses. So, what would be the advantage of this added protection? If it just extends a basic warranty, does one have to purchase the policy within 30 or 60 days, or just within the year?

 

Finally, I would like a Lee sort of system with lens/camera mount to stack Neutral Density Filter for Landscape. My initial lenses will be the 120 and 70 CS. Anyone have experience with a filter mount system which would include stacking? Not interested in ND grads, just NDs and possibly a polarizer. When using this system my camera will always be on a tripod. It seems many are using either Schneider or Lee and then it seems to be muddled as to who makes what. Not interested in the vario-ND as many are stating color shifts. Or should I stick with circular which obviously one needs to buy a variety for each lens.

 

Thank you in advance.

[glenerrolrd]

First ..I think you will enjoy the new S ..I ve had an S2 now for 3 years and its still the finest camera system I ve ever used .

 

The S2P had a warranty that included the shipment of a "loaner" overnight if your camera required service . This was different from the std warranty which required you to send your camera to Solms and wait for the repair . I believe that is the difference in the $4K warranty and the one included with the camera . Your alternative is to pick up a used S2 for under $10K as your back up .

 

 

The filter systems you are referring to are well known to the landscape photographers that use the S system . Schneider uses a holder made by Lee for their glass filters and it holds two filters ..so it is common to use a neutral density filter along with a polarizer . The Lee system also works but their filters are plastic (very well thought off ) . You can find some Youtube videos that show how they are used . The Schneider filters are quite expensive ..they are also heavy and really slippery ...most of my friends have chipped them . I was just getting ready to invest in set as well ...so I ve been doing some research but would love to hear from someone that has used the system .

 

I remember you went to the new M ...but the S files are CCD and really work well with the M9 files ..one of my big regrets with the new M .

 

The next thing you might get into is the head and tripod set up for MF ...the favorite head seems to be the Arca Swiss D4 or the Cube if you were doing landscape .

[darylgo]

The S system is a joy to use and made selling my Contax 645 with Phase back much easier, something I never thought of doing prior to the S2.

The warranty is confusing, attempts with the Leica Store in LA were not successful at unraveling this mystery.

 

The filter choices are not easy with the S system. 72mm, 82mm and 95mm filter sizes. The Lee system slightly vignettes with the 24mm lens and the single filter holder in place. My experience with the Lee filters is that a single filter does not degrade the image, not sure about double filters, however as a general rule I stay away from stacking when possible. I did some testing on the Heliopan variable neutral density filter and it degrades image quality noticeably, sharpness suffers. The color cast from heavy neutral density comes from the blocking of visible light and the full transmission of infra-red with a resultig magenta cast.

I have had varied success with removal in software. I'd be interested to hear what decision you make.

[Guest WPalank]

Thank you Daryl and Roger for the kind replies.

 

Roger, I have had a RRS Carbon tripod and Ballhead that serve me well. At least I think I have that covered.

[Rolo]

The RRS L bracket is fabulous for the S. Essential IMHO.

 

For backup, buy a V adapter and Hasselblad lenses. It'll also open up the lens range at the top end. Don't worry about not having AF as you will regularly shoot with manual focus as the Focus Confirmation is excellent.

 

Buy the optional VF screen with split image. Split image usually confuses camera AF systems, which is why most dslrs have plain screens, but the S system is so refined it works flawlessly.

 

Programme the AF to the back button. Two pushes ensure that critical focus is achieved.

 

Tempting to shoot at 1/250 and shorter, but if you shoot in the portrait mode, the Grip offers more than a one stop advantage; two stops maybe. I've shot at 1/45s and felt confident on 50% not having camera shake. It's not my preference, but the low iso ceiling and a high shutter speed can be very restrictive.

 

Enjoy it. Takes a while to adapt to it, but it's a fabulous system.

[darylgo]

The RRS L bracket is fabulous for the S. Essential IMHO.

 

For backup, buy a V adapter and Hasselblad lenses. It'll also open up the lens range at the top end. Don't worry about not having AF as you will regularly shoot with manual focus as the Focus Confirmation is excellent.

 

Buy the optional VF screen with split image. Split image usually confuses camera AF systems, which is why most dslrs have plain screens, but the S system is so refined it works flawlessly.

 

Programme the AF to the back button. Two pushes ensure that critical focus is achieved.

 

Tempting to shoot at 1/250 and shorter, but if you shoot in the portrait mode, the Grip offers more than a one stop advantage; two stops maybe. I've shot at 1/45s and felt confident on 50% not having camera shake. It's not my preference, but the low iso ceiling and a high shutter speed can be very restrictive.

 

Enjoy it. Takes a while to adapt to it, but it's a fabulous system.

 

Thank you for the tips, I will need to explore the grip again, it is a challenge for me to hold the camera vertically without the grip.

 

Re: focusing. I found it difficult to use the split image for precise focus. Despite magnification placed in the viewfinder I could not get precise enough. Is there a technique you use for this?

[erlingmm]

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Re: focusing. I found it difficult to use the split image for precise focus. Despite magnification placed in the viewfinder I could not get precise enough. Is there a technique you use for this?

 

Strongly recommend the Microprism screen (16001) for focusing.

Great system.

[Likaleica]

It's an amazing camera and the lenses are outrageous.

[xiaubauu2009]

Having had my hands on the S for 2 weeks now. It's such a nice system and yes, the lens is just spectacular!!!

I am just a amateur and I think this system will serve more than enough of my needs.

[RVB]

Thank you for the tips, I will need to explore the grip again, it is a challenge for me to hold the camera vertically without the grip.

 

Re: focusing. I found it difficult to use the split image for precise focus. Despite magnification placed in the viewfinder I could not get precise enough. Is there a technique you use for this?

 

 

I have an S,I used RRS brackets for a few years on different cameras but I think the Arca Swiss universal L bracket is the best available,take a look at it...

[LeicaS2]

Schneider system for glass filters is what I use. As Rodger says, they are easy to drop and break. I have spent $300 on that. Never got insurance on the S or the lenses and never needed it. Needed insurance on the Schneider filters.